From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Sr., 25 August 1771
To Jonathan Williams, Sr.
Reprinted from Jared Sparks, ed., A Collection of the Familiar Letters and Miscellaneous Papers of Benjamin Franklin... (Boston, 1833), p. 142.
London, 25 August, 1771.
Dear Cousin,
I have received yours of July 8th and 12th, with the bills, which are carried to your credit. I hope your son Jonathan may be with you by this time. Josiah is well, and sticks close to his business.2
I have not time to add more, being this minute setting out on a short trip to Ireland, to visit some American friends, or rather friends to America, and take that portion of exercise and fresh air, which is every year necessary to my health. My love to your spouse and children. I am sincerely Your affectionate uncle,
B. Franklin
2. It was studying music under John Stanley; see above, XVII, 212–13. His brother Jonathan, after less than a year in England, had returned to Boston to set himself up in business.